Observing Circumstellar Disks with WFIRST/CGI
Abstract
The Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) coronagraphic instrument (CGI) will be capable of directly imaging a wide range of circumstellar disks in a combination of total intensity and polarized visible light, improving on previous high contrast imaging by orders of magnitude. A subsample of cold debris disks previously resolved in scattered light will likely be observed as part of the CGI technology demonstration phase, laying a foundation for the exploration of nearby planetary systems during the remainder of the WFIRST mission. We review the feasibility and potential scientific return for these systems with the expected CGI complement of coronagraphic masks and observing modes, and identify key observations that could be proposed.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #233
- Pub Date:
- January 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AAS...23334001D